R-Dome vote - R-pod Owners Forum

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Ghosthawk

Senior Member

Joined: 01 Apr 2018
Location: Fargo ND
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 128

Topic: R-Dome vote
Posted: 31 Aug 2018 at 8:56am

We went with the R-dome. To me it has much more going for it than an awning.

We have not had ours up yet, there just is not room in our driveway.

Awnings don't stop bugs. Give you no privacy if/when you want it.

However, for one/two day stops one might not want to bother with the Dome.

So for that reason I bought slides from a sail shop that fit the keder rail, and a 18x10 heavy duty tarp from Harbor Freight. So we can go either way, quickly and easily.

But we expect and intend to use the Dome as well. Multiple tools in the box is my philosophy.

The more tools the more options you have.

geewizard

Senior Member

Joined: 16 Apr 2017
Location: Spokane
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 347

Posted: 31 Aug 2018 at 8:40am

Thanks for all the votes! Keep them coming......

I currently use an REI tarp (I made keder rail loops) and poles which kind of works as an awning but flaps too much in the wind.....and then there's the bug issue.

As usual, this forum is a gem.

2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB
2017 R-Pod 177 (Blue) HRE SOLD
2004 Outfitter Apex 8 camper
2014 Toyota Tundra DC

ron_whitt

Senior Member

Joined: 08 Sep 2011
Location: Chesterville On
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 261

Posted: 31 Aug 2018 at 7:04am

We are on our 7th year with a 177. Would never leave home without the rdome. Great for rainy days to set in and still be able to look outside, read a book etc. At night, read a book with a light on and look at all the folks in their tt's with the doors closed because the bugs are to bad... LOVE our dome.

Ron & Shirley
2020 Tacoma
2012 177 rpod

poston

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 28 Mar 2018
Location: Nevada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 195

Posted: 30 Aug 2018 at 11:35pm

Our R-dome came with our trailer, so we didn't have a "cost". We set it up in the driveway the first time without instructions, and it was pretty easy. We haven't used it yet in the field.

I think it will be great when boondocking for extended periods. At first, we set a threshold of more than 1 night. But now I think it should be more than 3 nights, i.e. more than a weekend. On short trips we're away from the pod so much that it doesn't seem worth it to set the dome up. It's just my wife and I though. I think with a bigger crew, the threshold would go down.

It doesn't seem useful to us in developed (dense) campgrounds - just too big.

For us, it's definitely worth the cost ($0). If we had to buy it separately, not so sure. The Clam is attractive at that price, or even a commercial EZ-up like we have, with walls and screens.

--
Jim
Virginia City, Nevada
2016 R-pod 180
2015 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X

Kup-Pod

Senior Member

Joined: 08 Jun 2017
Location: Guelph, Ontario
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 153

Posted: 30 Aug 2018 at 8:12pm

I'm not going to vote against the R-dome because we really wanted that with our new RPod.

However, we were very pleasantly surprised at how functional and easy the Thule awning is. I honestly thought I would regret not getting the R-dome but for setting up and packing up quickly and still have a functional dry area during a rain storm, the awning does a great job.

2017 RP-178
2021 F150 5.0l
"Lead me on a level path"

fwunder

Senior Member

Joined: 04 Oct 2013
Location: New Jersey
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1676

Posted: 30 Aug 2018 at 7:54pm

I'll pretty much echo everything furpod says. We would never leave home without the dome. With a nice floor (we use a Carefree of Colorado floor), it's a fabulous addition and with practice, sets up in 10 minutes or less. I fabricated a skirt and wheel cover which makes it even more cozy. This is our fifth season with the dome and it's still going strong.

I also have a Kelty Noah (16x16) tarp and a recent purchase of a Clam Escape. For ease of deployment, the Clam is, hands down, the most remarkably easiest shelter. Really, really does take less than a minute to deploy. Great for a quick stop when setup and breakdown of dome is inconvenient and we want the extra space. With optional side panels it's quite a nice private and comfortable room. I'm still working on a way to snuggle it up to the dome for a theater or man-cave addition!

The Kelty tarp is fun to play with and a good picnic table cover when space and trees permit. I suggest you play with different configurations in your backyard before going camping - unless you are not easily embarrassed. I have tried using it as a pod awing with very limited success. I can setup the dome so fast, it really doesn't make sense but I always bring it along because it's just such a small package.

Just yesterday, I wrote to PahaQue after seeing this:

https://pahaquecustom.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=124&zenid=3cfcf8884506f7719e51ece51341f3c3

It's really the best commercial awning design I have seen yet for a shape similar to the pod. I asked if they were working on a pod version. The answer I got:

Hi Fred,

Yes, actually. It's already being tested and worked on. Right now we do not have an estimate on the release but it will be soon.

Jason Rogers

PahaQue Customer Service

I'm prolly going to get that too! Bottom line, all of these have their place and I can see using any one or two or three in different circumstances.

If I only had one choice. It would be the dome.

fred

2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!

jato

Senior Member

Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Kewadin, MI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3227

Posted: 30 Aug 2018 at 7:20pm

Depends if we are talking delmonico, filtet-mignon or tube and if you go rare, medium rare, or shoe leather (well done). Smile

God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

mcarter

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3419

Posted: 30 Aug 2018 at 7:15pm

I have never owned anything where the stakes were right, what up with that:)

Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

jato

Senior Member

Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Kewadin, MI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3227

Posted: 30 Aug 2018 at 7:13pm

Forgot to mention, the one thing that was chintzy and was replaced were the stakes that had the strength of colby cheese when pounded into the ground and they easily pulled out even with moderate winds. Replaced with a beefier and longer stake.

God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

mcarter

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3419

Posted: 30 Aug 2018 at 7:11pm

We used our dome twice before I gave it away. To me it was an extension of a tent and it rarely fit well on the improved sites we stayed in. I certainly understand that some people are big fans, but it was not my cup of tea. I recommend if you can, get it and try it, make up your own mind.

Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."